Sunday 20 August 2017

"If We Cannot Hide We Must Fight."

"The invasion has happened; you're probably surrounded by Zygons."
These two 36mm tall "finely-sculpted" metal Zygons models are produced by “Warlord Games” and can be found within the Nottingham-based company's "Into The Time Vortex" range. Based upon the “fictional extra-terrestrial race” depicted in the 2013 BBC television story “The Day Of The Doctor”, these sculpts are covered in the shape-changing extra-terrestrials' famous suckers and will provide some additional reinforcements to my slowly expanding Zygon "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" faction.

Originally primed with two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, these miniatures were then heavily washed with “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson and dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone. As a final touch, and in order to keep their colour schemes consistent with my existing Zygon models, I blended in some "Citadel" Abaddon Black over the ends of their feet and hands; a somewhat contentious palette choice which hopefully implies that these "Nu Who" variants are capable of firing “electrical charges from their hands that can stun or disintegrate”.
Ogrons WIPs - The Daleks' pets have been primed and dry-brushed
Sticking with "Warlord Games" and their "officially approved by the BBC" range of "Doctor Who" figures, I having started work on my latest additions... six Ogrons fresh "from the outer fringes of the Mutter’s Spiral". These "tall, ape-like humanoids of limited intelligence" looked disappointingly thin and malnourished when I first saw them 'in the flesh' at Salute 2017, but have clearly been pleasingly 'beefed up' somewhat since then.

Viewed by many fans as simply the pets of the Daleks, on account of their two television appearances during Jon Pertwee's tenure as the travelling Time Lord, the Ogrons have actually been "used by other species as mercenaries" in the science fiction programme's wider canon. Indeed, I've been especially inspired to get these "mindless" minions painted, having recently listened to their misadventures in the "Big Finish" "Doctor Who" audio story, "The Romance Of Crime", starring Tom Baker, Lalla Ward and John Leeson.
Fenn Signis & Gaarkhan WIPs - The two Rebels have been re-based and undercoated
With so many mini-projects on the go currently, the last thing I really needed was yet another distraction, and so it was with some horror that I recently found my "Star Wars" mojo reignited, courtesy of a review of "Imperial Assault" by "Fantasy Flight Games" over on "The Game Cupboard". To be fair, I already own a copy of the boxed game, and have previously painted a few of the miniatures, but rather ashamedly, I haven't actually ever played a game.

Determined to put that right I have subsequently had a look at the rule-set's Tutorial, and set about re-basing and priming two of the Rebel characters; Gaarkhan and Fenn Signis. This duo will (hopefully) just be a minor detour in my painting plans, as I don't currently intend working on any of the other plastic miniatures in the starter set. Having said that though, the pair might provide me with some George Lucas-inspired practice in time for the release of the Star Wars "army" miniatures game "Legion" next March...

44 comments:

  1. Love the Zygons Simon and I was interested to read about your Star Wars mojo being reignited by a certain post - mine did the same! I am now the proud owner of an Imperial Assault core box!

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    1. Thanks Michael. I was resisting quite well, and then Fantasy Flight revealed Star Wars: Legion!!! That just tipped me over the edge!! :-)

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    2. {{I am now the proud owner of an Imperial Assault core box!}}

      Yeeeey!!! CONGRATULATIONS Michael. You just stepped into a big BIG world, full of all sorts of wonderful splendours, and untold adventures still to come hehehe.

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    3. {{and then Fantasy Flight revealed Star Wars: Legion!!! }}

      Be careful there Simon, it nearly caught us unawares too. Beware the scale, it doesn't appear to be 28mm/32mm but looks most likely to be about 18mm/20mm.

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    4. Hi Hils, according to "Beasts Of War" the scale for "Star Wars: Legion" is "around 32mm in height, so a little taller than the ones that you get in Imperial Assault." Where did you hear about 18/20mm? I'd actually be happier with a smaller scale :-)

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    5. Hi Simon, hey I may be wrong, but I got the info live from GenCon. Link below :)

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOgIk-JS7tk

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    6. Marvellous, and there's a 30 minutes demo too here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZj9Hxf4o5Y

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  2. Great job on the Zygons Simon, the Ogrons look good and shall be interested to see your painting of these. I feel your pain on the Star Wars distraction, was building some last night instead of working. They are very cool though

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    1. Cheers Dave. Much appreciated. I'm hoping the Star Wars mood will pass once the latest Age of Sigmar expansions are released. But for now a few Imperial Assault minis shouldn't hurt the painting plan too much... I hope ;-)

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  3. I've been looking at lots of photos of Zygons and I can find no evidence of them having black hands and feet. Sorry, but I do find them off-putting. The Ogrons are well posed but still look too slim. As for Star Wars, it is a bandwagon I refuse to jump on. Nothing personal, but it would be an odd world if we all liked the same things.

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    1. Hi Bryan, the black hands and feet comes from "Warlord Games" 'official' paint schemes, which is why I copied them. Like you, I've not seen any photo evidence of such a colour - but rather like it personally as it does fit in with the "Nu Who" background that Zygons can electrify rather than sting...

      It's interesting you're not a "Star Wars" 'bandwagoner', as I'd have thought the smuggler/scum & villainy ethos would have clicked with your Ace of Spades shenanigans. Still as you say, we all like/dislike different things.

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    2. I got all the Star Wars figures I ever wanted and needed from the old WotC collectable miniatures sets and best of all, they came pre-painted. The new stuff, whilst beautifully sculpted, is far too much of a money sink for me to indulge in. And I don't know when I'd find the time to paint them all. In the meantime I'll enjoy reading your posts.

      You may well see some of the scum and villainy you mention popping up in my Ace of Spades campaign but they'll be the old WotC sculpts.

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    3. Aha, that explains it. I've a fine collection of them too... always good to get them out for a May 4th BatRep ;-)

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  4. It's inspiring to see you working steadily through the Time Vortex miniatures, and I know just hoe easy it is to get distracted by other projects - if you manage to just paint the two rebels and no more, "The Force is strong with this one" ;-)

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    1. Thanks Wargame Addict. I need to indeed be strong... but I'm wilting, and the release of "Doctor Who" miniatures is a bit relentless currently, so a change is as good as a break ;-)

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  5. Ah, the problem of reading others excitable posts and becoming enchanted by their enthusiasm...stay strong, Simon! Actually, who are we kidding here...I think we all know that we'll be seeing some more Star Wars miniatures her in the no to distant future...lol

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  6. I have a soft spot for the Zygons and am sorry Stevie never got round to picking up a set of these (dont worry they are on the wish list). I do like how you`ve done yours Simon. Very attractive.

    I was also thrilled to see you painting up Gaarkhan and Fenn Signis (two of the six stock rebel hero characters from Imp Assault base game), and Stevie and I will be following what you do with these with interest. Incidentally all our Imp Assault core box minis are painted now, and you will see some of these in our next post, as we will finally be starting the campaign (starting at the beginning with the opening mission "Aftermath".. wish us luck|).

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    1. Thanks Hils. I'm not sure I'd go as far to say the Zygons are attractive, but I like the compliment :-)

      Oohhh... I'm looking forward to the next posting on "The Game Cupboard" then... inspirational stuff!!

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  7. Lovely work on the Zygon's but I have top say i'm with Bryan on the black hands (sorry), I also agree that I would have liked the Ogrons a bit "beefier" too, but they should still paint up a treat. Star Wars though tempting, is something I think I should be able to resist, though I will enjoy reading about you're and Hil's exploits of course.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. To each his own, but I rather like the black hands/feet myself. "Star Wars" could get a bit serious, so I'm really focusing on just the two characters for now, and may try a few games with unpainted minis first - just to try out the rules; heresy I know!! :-)

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  8. Your brushwork on the Zygons look great, but they do look a bit of a "cheap" monster (read man in a suit - like the "scary" creature from the Black lagoon).)
    Ogrons (whatever they are) next then - looking forward to seeing these progress

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    1. Thanks Joe. Plenty of "Doctor Who" goodness to come. I know that there are a couple of costume errors in the original Zygon tale "Terror Of The Zygons", with seams etc showing :-)

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    2. As I haven't seen an episode of Doctor Who since McCoy or Baker (I forget which order they came in) I couldn't possible comment on the production values.

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    3. Oh don't get me wrong, Joe, "Terror Of The Zygons" is a Tom Baker classic. But the rubber-suited aliens are clearly that in a couple of scenes.

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  9. Cool work, still not a Star Wars fan - I know it heresy but Kong Skull Island is a better movie!

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    1. Cheers Martin. Hope you enjoyed Partisan - it certainly looked like you did!! I've not seen "Kong - Skull Island" yet, but did rather like "Rogue One" - certainly far more than "The Force Awakens".

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    2. I liked the Kong movie more than Rogue One too Martin!

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    3. Hmmm... well that sounds encouraging, as I really liked "Rogue One". Fingers crossed for "Kong" then :-)

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  10. Nice work. I too have Imperial Assault, but only played one game but it was fun. Trying not to be tempted by Legion, but as a long time Star Wars fan I can see some more cash going FFG way:)

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    1. Thanks Mark. "Star Wars: Legion" could indeed be an expensive time. Hopefully though I'll have time enough to clear some of the other projects I'm currently working on before it arrives...

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  11. Excellent stuff. Love the Zygons, and am especially interested in seeing Signis & Gaarkhan finished.

    Legions I will miss, Imperial Assault is more than enough for me... coupled and twinned with FFG`s excellent rpg version books as well.

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    1. Cheers Steve. I'm certainly looking forward to your blog's Imperial Assault Reports. I'm trying to b strong regarding the game, stick to a few painted minis and save my pennies for Legion; as that looks like it has legs!!

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  12. The Zygons are looking nice Simon, we must be due a Dr Who group shot soon surely? Like Bryan I won't be jumping on the Star Wars bandwagon despite the temptation by Hils and Steve's excellent blogging recently and now yourself! Chris and Rich have bought into X-wing and I'll play it if they finally crack it open but I fear any new games will join Team Yankee (unopened), TWD (unopened). I will however thoroughly enjoy reading about them by others like yourselves and our emerald friends ;-)

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    1. Most kind, Andy. I've certainly a sizeable Dr Who collection these days, by still have plenty left to paint before a group shot is planned. Maybe I'll do a Zygon one once the faction is finished...

      I have an unopened box of Xwing, as I went with Star Trek Attack Wing instead, but could be tempted to wheel it out if the interest is there. I'll certainly try entertaining you with my Star Wars though, they'll certainly be plenty of coverage once Legion launches (dates are changing from Jan-March 2018).

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  13. Excellent work on the Zygons mate, they look superb and add nicely to your legion of stuff from the Doctor Who game. :)

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    1. Cheers Leon. Gotta keep them "Doctor Who" miniatures churning through the painting queue or else I'll get overwhelmed!! ;-)

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  14. Nice work on the Zygons. Nice start on the Imperial Assault stuff. I am in two minds now as the Star Wars skirmish game is coming now.

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    1. Thanks Simon. I see the "Star Wars: Legion" starter set is already appearing in stores on pre-order, so I'm desperately trying to be strong and simply paint up a few pieces for "Imperial Assault" ;-)

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  15. Legion... may well be the downfall of me. O_o

    Love your Zygons mate. I think i prefer the black hands, they break up the monotonous pink.

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    1. Ha Ha Hah! You and me both when "Star Wars: Legion" comes out Dai :-) Glad you like the Zygons. I do like the black hands and feet, even if they don't seem to be canon colours.

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